Napoleon in Ripley County, Indiana — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Railroad House Hotel

Photographed by Mark Parker, July 20, 2023

1. Railroad House Hotel Marker

Inscription. Napoleon, the site of many political conventions, in 1851 hosted the Free Soil Convention represented by abolitionist Johnson Watts, joined by James H. Cravens and J. Cady, called for repeal of the Fugitive Slave Act of 1850. This inn, owned 1853-1861 by William Love, had a secret trap door leading to a double cellar where fugitive slaves were hidden. Horses were hidden in south cellar during the Civil War.

Erected by Ripley County Historical Society.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Abolition & Underground RR • African Americans • Civil Rights. A significant historical year for this entry is 1851.

Location. 39° 12.326′ N, 85° 19.844′ W. Marker is in Napoleon, Indiana, in Ripley County. It is on Madison Street (U.S. 421) north of Main Street, on the left when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 8961 Madison Street, Napoleon IN 47034, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Southern Indiana.

It is also in the American Midwest

and in the Corn Belt.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture

and also the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 6 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Berry's Trace (within shouting distance of this marker); Barbara Fox, Pioneer Lady Inventor (within shouting distance of this marker); Elias Conwell House (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Central House (about

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700 feet away); Artist John W. Love (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Fugitive Trail (approx. 5½ miles away); Abolitionists (approx. 5½ miles away); John Andrews, Master Craftsman (approx. 5½ miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Napoleon.

Also see . . . Napoleon Route (Ripley County Tourism). Excerpt:

Tour Stop 3 (39° 12′ 17″ N 85° 19′ 49″ W)–“The Rail Road House” Hotel: The old tavern opposite was built before 1838. Purchased by two abolitionists, William Love and William Howe in 1852, it operated as a major Underground Railroad station. A secret cellar and tunnel were constructed leading from the north section of the building under the Michigan Road (U.S. 421). The south cellar opened to the rear. Love named the tavern “The Rail Road House” Hotel. The only railroad in Napoleon was the Underground Railroad.

(Submitted on December 27, 2024.)

Full view of Railroad House Hotel site and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Parker, July 20, 2023

2. Full view of Railroad House Hotel site and Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on December 27, 2024. It was originally submitted on December 3, 2024, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina. This page has been viewed 314 times since then and 43 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on December 3, 2024, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.